Donald Trump has claimed victory at the Nato summit, saying progress had been made on defence spending only hours after throwing the Brussels meeting intodisarray with fresh attacks on European allies. European members contradict assertion that US president secured notable concessions.[(Read More)]

Leaders will stress the need for full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all sides, underlining the responsibility of Russia in this context. In the absence of progress, EU leaders decided last week at the June European Council to approve the prolongation of economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy.

In the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council, EU foreign ministers will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. They will discuss the Middle East peace process, bilateral relations and regional developments.

It can be expected that ministers will discuss consequences of the US President’s announcement on 6 December regarding the status of Jerusalem, and its implications for the Middle East peace process and regional stability. In her reaction, the High Representative expressed the EU’s serious concern about the announcement and the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace. She confirmed that the EU position remains unchanged: The aspirations of both parties must be fulfilled and a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states. She has also called on all actors on the ground and in the wider region to show calm and restraint in order to prevent any escalation.

Ministers will also discuss how the EU can further contribute to preserving and fostering stability in the region.

The 5th Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit will take place in Brussels on 24 November. It will bring together heads of state or government of European Union member states with those of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

The summit will be chaired by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who, together with the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, will represent the European Union.

The six partner countries will be represented by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Pavel Filip and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei.

EaP Leaders will take stock of what has been achieved since the last summit in Riga in 2015 and look forward to future cooperation. The summit will allow them to discuss how to further strengthen cooperation in the four priority areas agreed in Riga: stronger economy, governance, connectivity and society. The summit is due to adopt a joint declaration.